2017 Edition

Background

Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the EU's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union, European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs.

Area

43,094 sq km 42,434 sq km 660 sq km includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland

land

42,434 sq km

note

includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland

total

43,094 sq km

water

660 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts

Climate

temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers

Coastline

7,314 km

Elevation

34 m lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m highest point: Mollehoj/Ejer Bavnehoj 171 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m

highest point

Mollehoj/Ejer Bavnehoj 171 m

mean elevation

34 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

56 00 N, 10 00 E

Geography - note

controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen

Irrigated land

4,350 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

140 km Germany 140 km

border countries (1)

Germany 140 km

total

140 km

Land use

63.4% arable land 58.9%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 4.4% 12.9% 23.7% highest percentage of arable land for any country in the world (2011 est.)

agricultural land

63.4%

forest

12.9%

note

highest percentage of arable land for any country in the world (2011 est.)

other

23.7%

Location

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes several major islands (Sjaelland, Fyn, and Bornholm)

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, fish, arable land, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand

Population - distribution

with excellent access to the North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, and the Baltic Sea, population centers tend to be along coastal areas, particularly in Copenhagen and the eastern side of the country's mainland

Terrain

low and flat to gently rolling plains

Age structure

16.41% (male 472,106/female 447,997) 13.08% (male 374,379/female 358,927) 38.76% (male 1,080,118/female 1,092,503) 12.52% (male 349,091/female 352,903) 19.23% (male 483,519/female 594,405) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

16.41% (male 472,106/female 447,997)

15-24 years

13.08% (male 374,379/female 358,927)

25-54 years

38.76% (male 1,080,118/female 1,092,503)

55-64 years

12.52% (male 349,091/female 352,903)

65 years and over

19.23% (male 483,519/female 594,405) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

10.5 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

10.3 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

26.3 29.7 3.4 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

29.7

potential support ratio

3.4 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

56

youth dependency ratio

26.3

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

8.6% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, Turkish, Polish, Syrian, German, Iraqi (2017 est.)

Health expenditures

10.8% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

3.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

4 deaths/1,000 live births 4.1 deaths/1,000 live births 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

4.1 deaths/1,000 live births

total

4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority) English is the predominant second language

note

English is the predominant second language

Life expectancy at birth

79.5 years 77.1 years 82.1 years (2017 est.)

female

82.1 years (2017 est.)

male

77.1 years

total population

79.5 years

Major urban areas - population

COPENHAGEN (capital) 1.268 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

42.2 years 41.2 years 43.2 years (2017 est.)

female

43.2 years (2017 est.)

male

41.2 years

total

42.2 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

29.1 years (2015 est.)

Nationality

Dane(s) Danish

adjective

Danish

noun

Dane(s)

Net migration rate

2.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

19.7% (2016)

Physicians density

3.65 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

5,605,948 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

with excellent access to the North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, and the Baltic Sea, population centers tend to be along coastal areas, particularly in Copenhagen and the eastern side of the country's mainland

Population growth rate

0.22% (2017 est.)

Religions

Evangelical Lutheran (official) 76%, Muslim 4%, other (denominations of less than 1% each, includes Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Serbian Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Baptist, and Buddhist) 20% (2017 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 99.6% of population rural: 99.6% of population total: 99.6% of population urban: 0.4% of population rural: 0.4% of population total: 0.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0.4% of population

total

0.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

19 years 18 years 20 years (2014)

female

20 years (2014)

male

18 years

total

19 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.81 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.73 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

12% 13.1% 10.9% (2016 est.)

female

10.9% (2016 est.)

male

13.1%

total

12%

Urbanization

88% of total population (2017) 0.58% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.58% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

88% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

metropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner, singular - region); Hovedstaden (Capital), Midtjylland (Central Jutland), Nordjylland (North Jutland), Sjaelland (Zealand), Syddanmark (Southern Denmark) an extensive local government reform merged 271 municipalities into 98 and 13 counties into five regions, effective 1 January 2007

note

an extensive local government reform merged 271 municipalities into 98 and 13 counties into five regions, effective 1 January 2007

Capital

Copenhagen 55 40 N, 12 35 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October applies to continental Denmark only, not to its North Atlantic components

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

55 40 N, 12 35 E

name

Copenhagen

note

applies to continental Denmark only, not to its North Atlantic components

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Denmark yes 7 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Denmark

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

7 years

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 5 June 1953 proposed by the Folketing with consent of the government; passage requires approval by the next Folketing following a general election, approval by simple majority vote of at least 40% of voters in a referendum, and assent by the chief of state; changed several times, last in 2009 (Danish Act of Succession) (2016)

amendments

proposed by the Folketing with consent of the government; passage requires approval by the next Folketing following a general election, approval by simple majority vote of at least 40% of voters in a referendum, and assent by the chief of state; changed several times, last in 2009 (Danish Act of Succession) (2016)

history

several previous; latest adopted 5 June 1953

Country name

Kingdom of Denmark Denmark Kongeriget Danmark Danmark the name derives from the words "Dane(s)" and "mark"; the latter referring to a march (borderland) or forest

conventional long form

Kingdom of Denmark

conventional short form

Denmark

etymology

the name derives from the words "Dane(s)" and "mark"; the latter referring to a march (borderland) or forest

local long form

Kongeriget Danmark

local short form

Danmark

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Laura LOCHMAN (since 2 January 2017) Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen 0 Unit 5280, DPO, AE 09716 [45] 33 41 71 00 [45] 35 43 02 23

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Laura LOCHMAN (since 2 January 2017)

embassy

Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen 0

FAX

[45] 35 43 02 23

mailing address

Unit 5280, DPO, AE 09716

telephone

[45] 33 41 71 00

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Lars Gert LOSE (since 17 September 2015) 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 234-4300 [1] (202) 328-1470 Chicago, New York

chancery

3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Lars Gert LOSE (since 17 September 2015)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 328-1470

telephone

[1] (202) 234-4300

Executive branch

Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born on 26 May 1968) Prime Minister Lars LOKKE RASMUSSEN (since 28 June 2015) Council of State appointed by the monarch the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch

cabinet

Council of State appointed by the monarch

chief of state

Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born on 26 May 1968)

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch

head of government

Prime Minister Lars LOKKE RASMUSSEN (since 28 June 2015)

Flag description

red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) and is one of the oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to the origin of the flag design vary, but the best known is a legend that the banner fell from the sky during an early-13th century battle; caught up by the Danish king before it ever touched the earth, this heavenly talisman inspired the royal army to victory; in actuality, the flag may derive from a crusade banner or ensign the shifted cross design element was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden

note

the shifted cross design element was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden

Government type

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Independence

ca. 965 (unified and Christianized under HARALD I Gormson); 5 June 1849 (became a parliamentary constitutional monarchy)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 18 judges) judges appointed by the monarch upon the recommendation of the Minister of Justice with the advice of the Judicial Appointments Council, a 6-member independent body of judges and lawyers; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 70 Special Court of Indictment and Revision; 2 High Courts; Maritime and Commercial Court; county courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 18 judges)

judge selection and term of office

judges appointed by the monarch upon the recommendation of the Minister of Justice with the advice of the Judicial Appointments Council, a 6-member independent body of judges and lawyers; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 70

subordinate courts

Special Court of Indictment and Revision; 2 High Courts; Maritime and Commercial Court; county courts

Legal system

civil law; judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch

unicameral People's Assembly or Folketing (179 seats, including 2 representing Greenland and 2 representing the Faroe Islands; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms unless the Folketing is dissolved earlier) last held on 18 June 2015 (next to be held by June 2019) percent of vote by party - SDP 26.3%, DF 21.1%, V 19.5%, EL 7.8%, LA 7.5%, AP 4.8%, SLP 4.6%, SF 4.2%, C 3.4%, other 0.9%; seats by party - SDP 47, DF 37, V 34, EL 14, LA 13, AP 9, SLP 8, SF 7, C 6; note - does not include each of the 2 seats from Greenland and the Faroe Islands

description

unicameral People's Assembly or Folketing (179 seats, including 2 representing Greenland and 2 representing the Faroe Islands; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms unless the Folketing is dissolved earlier)

election results

percent of vote by party - SDP 26.3%, DF 21.1%, V 19.5%, EL 7.8%, LA 7.5%, AP 4.8%, SLP 4.6%, SF 4.2%, C 3.4%, other 0.9%; seats by party - SDP 47, DF 37, V 34, EL 14, LA 13, AP 9, SLP 8, SF 7, C 6; note - does not include each of the 2 seats from Greenland and the Faroe Islands

elections

last held on 18 June 2015 (next to be held by June 2019)

National anthem

"Der er et yndigt land" (There is a Lovely Land); "Kong Christian" (King Christian) Adam Gottlob OEHLENSCHLAGER/Hans Ernst KROYER; Johannes EWALD/unknown Denmark has two national anthems with equal status; "Der er et yndigt land," adopted 1844, is a national anthem, while "Kong Christian," adopted 1780, serves as both a national and royal anthem; "Kong Christian" is also known as "Kong Christian stod ved hojen mast" (King Christian Stood by the Lofty Mast) and "Kongesangen" (The King's Anthem); within Denmark, the royal anthem is played only when royalty is present and is usually followed by the national anthem; when royalty is not present, only the national anthem is performed; outside Denmark, the royal anthem is played, unless the national anthem is requested

lyrics/music

Adam Gottlob OEHLENSCHLAGER/Hans Ernst KROYER; Johannes EWALD/unknown

name

"Der er et yndigt land" (There is a Lovely Land); "Kong Christian" (King Christian)

note

Denmark has two national anthems with equal status; "Der er et yndigt land," adopted 1844, is a national anthem, while "Kong Christian," adopted 1780, serves as both a national and royal anthem; "Kong Christian" is also known as "Kong Christian stod ved hojen mast" (King Christian Stood by the Lofty Mast) and "Kongesangen" (The King's Anthem); within Denmark, the royal anthem is played only when royalty is present and is usually followed by the national anthem; when royalty is not present, only the national anthem is performed; outside Denmark, the royal anthem is played, unless the national anthem is requested

National holiday

Constitution Day, 5 June (1849); note - closest equivalent to a national holiday

National symbol(s)

lion, mute swan; national colors: red, white

lion, mute swan; national colors

red, white

Political parties and leaders

The Alternative A or AP [Uffe ELBAEK] Conservative People's Party or DKF or C [Soren PAPE POULSEN] Danish People's Party or DF or O [Kristian THULESEN DAHL] Liberal Alliance or LA [Anders SAMUELSEN] Liberal Party (Venstre) or V [Lars LOKKE RA/SMUSSEN] Red-Green Alliance (Unity List) or EL [collective leadership, spokesperson Pernille SKIPPER] Social Democrats or A [Mette FREDERIKSEN] Social Liberal Party or B [Morten OSTERGAARD] Socialist People's Party or SF [Pia OLSEN DYHR]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confederation of Danish Employers or DA [Jacob HOLBRAAD] Confederation of Danish Industries or DI [Karsten DYBVAD] Confederation of Danish Labor Unions or LO [Lizette RISGAARD] DaneAge Association [Bjarne HASTRUP] Danish Shipowners' Association [Anne STEFFENSEN] Danish Bankers Association [Ulrik NODGAARD] Danish Society for Nature Conservation or DN [Ella Maria BISSCHOP-LARSEN] environmental groups; humanitarian relief; development assistance; human rights NGOs

other

environmental groups; humanitarian relief; development assistance; human rights NGOs

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish

Budget

$162.3 billion $164.3 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$164.3 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$162.3 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.05% (2016) 0.05% (2015)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

3.25% (31 December 2016 est.) 3.42% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$24.09 billion (2016 est.) $27.58 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$484.8 billion (31 March 2016 est.) $519.8 billion (31 March 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

28.8 (2015 est.) 25.7 (2005 est.)

Economy - overview

This thoroughly modern market economy features a high-tech agricultural sector, advanced industry with world-leading firms in pharmaceuticals, maritime shipping, and in renewable energy, and a high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is a net exporter of food, oil, and gas and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus, but depends on imports of raw materials for the manufacturing sector. Danes enjoy a high standard of living, and the Danish economy is characterized by extensive government welfare measures and an equitable distribution of income. An aging population will be a long-term issue. Denmark is a member of the EU; Danish legislation and regulations conform to EU standards on almost all issues. Despite previously meeting the criteria to join the European Economic and Monetary Union, Denmark has negotiated an opt-out with the EU and is not required to adopt the euro. Within the EU, Denmark is among the strongest supporters of trade liberalization. Denmark is experiencing a modest economic expansion. The economy grew by 1.6% in 2015 and an estimated 1.3% in 2016. The expansion is expected to continue at similar rates in 2017 and 2018. The labor market has strengthened since 2013, and unemployment stood at 4.2% in early 2017, based on the national measure. By early 2017, some sectors were experiencing difficulties attracting qualified labor. Productivity growth was significantly below the OECD average from the mid-1990s until 2011, but has increased in recent years. Improvement in productivity is needed to ensure continued growth. Denmark maintained a healthy budget surplus for many years up to 2008, but the global financial crisis swung the budget balance into deficit. The 2016 deficit was 1.4%. The government projects lower deficits in 2017 and 2018, and public debt (EMU debt) as a share of GDP is expected to decline. In 2015, household indebtedness remained relatively high at more than 292% of net disposable income, while household net worth - from private pension schemes and other assets - amounted to 497% of net disposable income.

Exchange rates

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 6.7309 (2016 est.) 6.7309 (2015 est.) 6.7236 (2014 est.) 5.6125 (2013 est.) 5.79 (2012 est.)

Exports

$103.6 billion (2016 est.) $102.6 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture and design, windmills

Exports - partners

Germany 16.3%, Sweden 11.9%, US 8.2%, UK 6.5%, Norway 6.1%, Netherlands 5.1%, China 4.4% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

47.5% 25.4% 20.1% 0.1% 53.4% -46.6% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

53.4%

government consumption

25.4%

household consumption

47.5%

imports of goods and services

-46.6% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

20.1%

investment in inventories

0.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1.1% 23.6% 75.3% (2016 est.)

agriculture

1.1%

industry

23.6%

services

75.3% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$48,200 (2016 est.) $47,800 (2015 est.) $47,400 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.7% (2016 est.) 1.6% (2015 est.) 1.7% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$306.7 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$275.3 billion (2016 est.) $267.3 billion (2015 est.) $260.3 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

28.2% of GDP (2016 est.) 28.9% of GDP (2015 est.) 28.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.9% 28.7% (2007)

highest 10%

28.7% (2007)

lowest 10%

1.9%

Imports

$86.39 billion (2016 est.) $87.55 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports - partners

Germany 21.4%, Sweden 12.2%, Netherlands 8%, China 7.3%, Norway 5.5%, UK 4.2% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

3.7% (2016 est.)

Industries

iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.3% (2016 est.) 0.5% (2015 est.)

Labor force

2.953 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

2.4% 18.3% 79.3% (2016 est.)

agriculture

2.4%

industry

18.3%

services

79.3% (2016 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$224.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $179.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $231.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

13.4% (2011 est.)

Public debt

37.7% of GDP (2016 est.) 39.5% of GDP (2015 est.) data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

note

data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$64.25 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $65.19 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$173.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $168.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$235.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $230.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$147.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $145.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$637.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $632.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$159.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $151.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

52.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.2% (2016 est.) 4.6% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

42 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

78,370 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - imports

77,950 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - production

140,600 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

490.6 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

31.41 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

9.919 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

48.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

53.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

14.98 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

14.01 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

27.34 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

4.392 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

2.192 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

658 million cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

4.618 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

16.88 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

158,200 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

171,600 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

165,400 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

187,700 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Broadcast media

strong public-sector TV presence with state-owned Danmarks Radio (DR) operating 6 channels and publicly owned TV2 operating roughly a half-dozen channels; broadcasts of privately owned stations are available via satellite and cable feed; DR operates 4 nationwide FM radio stations, 10 digital audio broadcasting stations, and 14 web-based radio stations; in 2010, there were 140 commercial and 187 community (non-commercial) radio stations (2012)

Internet country code

.dk

Internet users

5,424,169 97.0% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

97.0% (July 2016 est.)

total

5,424,169

Telephone system

excellent telephone and Internet services buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network; multiple mobile-cellular communications systems country code - 45; a series of fiber-optic submarine cables link Denmark with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and UK; satellite earth stations - 18 (6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East)); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access (2015)

domestic

buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network; multiple mobile-cellular communications systems

general assessment

excellent telephone and Internet services

international

country code - 45; a series of fiber-optic submarine cables link Denmark with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and UK; satellite earth stations - 18 (6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East)); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

1,557,101 28 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

28 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

1,557,101

Telephones - mobile cellular

6,985,035 125 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

125 (July 2016 est.)

total

6,985,035

Airports

80 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

5

2,438 to 3,047 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

12

over 3,047 m

2

total

28

under 914 m

2 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

47 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

5

total

52

under 914 m

47 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

OY (2016)

Merchant marine

towing- and supply ships 193, container 118, product tanker 91, passenger 80, chemical tanker 64, guard ships 40, other dry bulk 33, roll on/roll off 20, liquefied gas 11, bulk carrier 7, oil tanker 5, cable ships 4 (2016) 27 (Germany 9, Greenland 1, Norway 2, Sweden 15) 582 (Antigua and Barbuda 20, Bahamas 69, Belgium 4, Brazil 3, Curacao 1, Cyprus 6, Egypt 1, France 11, Gibraltar 7, Hong Kong 42, Isle of Man 30, Italy 4, Jamaica 1, Liberia 8, Lithuania 8, Luxembourg 1, Malaysia 1, Malta 34, Marshall Islands 7, Moldova 1, Netherlands 27, Norway 7, Panama 41, Philippines 2, Portugal 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, Singapore 149, Sweden 4, UK 43, Uruguay 1, US 31, Venezuela 1, unknown 4) (2010)

by type

towing- and supply ships 193, container 118, product tanker 91, passenger 80, chemical tanker 64, guard ships 40, other dry bulk 33, roll on/roll off 20, liquefied gas 11, bulk carrier 7, oil tanker 5, cable ships 4 (2016)

foreign-owned

27 (Germany 9, Greenland 1, Norway 2, Sweden 15)

registered in other countries

582 (Antigua and Barbuda 20, Bahamas 69, Belgium 4, Brazil 3, Curacao 1, Cyprus 6, Egypt 1, France 11, Gibraltar 7, Hong Kong 42, Isle of Man 30, Italy 4, Jamaica 1, Liberia 8, Lithuania 8, Luxembourg 1, Malaysia 1, Malta 34, Marshall Islands 7, Moldova 1, Netherlands 27, Norway 7, Panama 41, Philippines 2, Portugal 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, Singapore 149, Sweden 4, UK 43, Uruguay 1, US 31, Venezuela 1, unknown 4) (2010)

total

666

National air transport system

582,011 0 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

0 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

582,011

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

76

number of registered air carriers

10

Pipelines

gas 1,536 km; oil 330 km (2015)

Ports and terminals

Baltic Sea - Aarhus, Copenhagen, Fredericia, Kalundborg; North Sea - Esbjerg, Aalborg (Langerak) Ensted (coal) Copenhagen

cruise port(s)

Copenhagen

dry bulk cargo port(s)

Ensted (coal)

major seaport(s)

Baltic Sea - Aarhus, Copenhagen, Fredericia, Kalundborg; North Sea - Esbjerg,

river port(s)

Aalborg (Langerak)

Railways

3,476 km 3,476 km 1.435-m gauge (1,756 km electrified) (2017)

standard gauge

3,476 km 1.435-m gauge (1,756 km electrified) (2017)

total

3,476 km

Roadways

74,558 km 74,558 km (includes 1,205 km of expressways) (2017)

paved

74,558 km (includes 1,205 km of expressways) (2017)

total

74,558 km

Waterways

400 km (2010)

Military branches

Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air Force (2017)

Military expenditures

1.15% of GDP (2016) 1.12% of GDP (2015) 1.15% of GDP (2014) 1.23% of GDP (2013) 1.35% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from 4 to 12 months according to specialization; former conscripts are assigned to mobilization units; women eligible to volunteer for military service; in addition to full time employment, the Danish Military offers reserve contracts in all three branches (2016)

Disputes - international

Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; sovereignty dispute with Canada over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland; Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submission

Refugees and internally displaced persons

18,215 (Syria) (2016) 7,610 (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

18,215 (Syria) (2016)

stateless persons

7,610 (2016)